Gezicht op de Egyptischebrug in Sint-Petersburg 1850 - 1880

Albert Felisch made this stereoscopic photograph titled "View of the Egyptian Bridge in St. Petersburg," capturing a moment in Russian history. The photograph provides a glimpse into the 19th-century fascination with Egyptomania, reflecting broader cultural and political dynamics. Here, the Egyptian Bridge isn’t just a functional structure; it symbolizes the entwining of disparate cultural identities. The bridge, adorned with Egyptian motifs, stands in St. Petersburg, representing the cultural appropriation and exoticism prevalent during the era of imperial expansion. Bridges have always been places to cross, to come together, and to transport people to new and unexpected places. The photograph captures a specific architectural construction but also alludes to how societies construct identity through symbolic gestures. This image invites us to think about how historical symbols and cultural appropriations shape our contemporary understanding of identity and place. It reflects how we build literal and metaphorical bridges between cultures.